Protective holders for portable electronic devices

ABSTRACT

An impact-resistant protective holder for portable electronic devices for young children is provided having a cover including a compartment for close-fitting but releasable insertion of the device and having a transparent surface overlying the touch screen portion and controls of the device; a shock-resistant frame is disposed in outer, spaced surrounding relation to the cover and is provided with opposite gripping handles: and extension straps extend at spaced intervals between the cover and frame with the cover being mounted under tension so as to be stretched within the frame for shock-resistant support of the device within the frame.

BACKGROUND AND FIELD

This invention relates to protective holders for electronic devices and more particularly relates to novel and improved impact-resistant protective holders for portable electronic devices for young children.

Portable electronic devices for use by children are in ever-increasing demand. It is important that the device is protected by a holder so as to be resistant to shaking or pounding by the child but also be impact-resistant in the event that the holder is dropped or thrown against a wall as well as to be moisture-resistant. Moreover, it is important that the holder be conformable for use with different sizes and shapes of electronic devices and afford ready access by the child or other user to viewing of the screen and manipulating the various controls on the device.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore it is desirable to provide for a protective holder for mobile electronic devices which is lightweight and comprised of a minimum number of parts to facilitate use by persons of all ages and which is characterized by having an outer protective guard for an inner flexible enclosure. Further, the protective holder for portable electronic devices is sturdy and impact-resistant while being easy to grip and manipulate. The protective holder for portable electronic devices also includes an outer rigid enclosure surrounding an inner flexible covering for insertion and retention of a portable electronic device.

In one embodiment a handheld protective device has been devised for larger mobile electronic devices, such as. iPads or tablets which share many of the same characteristics as a cell phone but have a larger touch screen and placement of the controls on the face and sides of the screen. In this embodiment, the protective holder has a flexible cover with a compartment for close-fitting, releasable insertion of the electronic device and a transparent surface is built into the compartment in overlying relation to the screen. The cover is of limited stretchability and provided with adjustable extension straps at spaced intervals for adjustable connection to an outer shock-resistant frame in spaced surrounding relation to the cover and with gripping members or handles at opposite ends. In this way, the cover can be mounted under tension within the frame for shock-resistant support of the electronic device; and a foldable support stand is positioned within the cover for extension into an upstanding support for the protective holder. Other suitable means of suspension or support can be utilized in both embodiments described, such as, an extension strap between an upper side of the cover and frame to offer more resistance to shifting of the cover with respect to the frame when pressure is applied to the device. Another embodiment has been devised for smaller electronic devices, such as, video games, cell phones and various communication devices which have an interactive touch screen and other panel controls. A representative device is the iPhone which has a touch screen with various controls above and below the touch screen along with a slide button on the touch screen itself to activate it when it has been turned on; and also has controls along one side to control ON/OFF and VOLUME positions of the cell phone. In this setting. the protective holder is made up of a cover including a compartment for close-fitting but releasable insertion of the device and having a transparent surface overlying the touch screen portion and controls of the device; a shock-resistant frame is disposed in outer, spaced surrounding relation to the cover and is provided with opposite gripping handles; and extension straps extend at spaced intervals between the cover and frame with the cover being mounted under tension so as to be stretched within the frame for shock-resistant support of the device within the frame in any direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a protective holder for electronic tablet devices.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view taken about lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is another rear perspective view of the first embodiment illustrating a support strap and support stand.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first embodiment with the tablet detached from the center compartment of the holder.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a protective holder for handheld devices.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 10-10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional view taken about lines 11-11 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the first embodiment with the handheld device detached from the center compartment of the holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT

There is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 a first embodiment for a portable electronic device such as a portable tablet P as illustrated in FIG. 7 which is broadly comprised of a flexible cover 12 having a compartment 14 for releasable insertion of the tablet P. A transparent sheet 16 is built into the compartment 14 and is dimensioned to overlay the entire screen portion and any manual controls as represented in FIGS. 6 and 7. The cover 12 is of limited stretchability and includes an extension strap 18 at each of the four corners of the rectangular cover 12 for a non-releasable connection to an outer shock-resistant frame 20 which is held by the straps in surrounding relation to the cover 12. As shown in FIG. 6, each strap 18 encircles the frame 20 with a hook and loop fastener (not shown). The strap 18 also has an interior flap 19 having a defined opening 21 for insertion of a securing member 23 therethrough. The flap 19 is partially wrapped around a portion 33 of the frame member 20 and the securing member 23 secures plate member 30 and flap 19 to the frame member 20. A wider, releasable extension strap 22 is adjustably connected to one side 24 of the frame 20, hereinafter referred to as the upper side of the holder 10. In this way, the cover can be mounted under tension within the frame for shock-resistant support of the electronic device while remaining secured to the frame 20 with the straps 18.

The frame 20 is four-sided and comprises the upper side 24, lower side 25 and opposite ends 26 and 27. The upper and lower sides 24 and 25 are of generally concave configuration, and the opposite ends 26 and 27 are of convex or bowed configuration to define a gripping member or handle 13 at each end of the holder. The frame 20 is dimensioned to be thicker than the thickness of the cover 12 and enclosed tablet in order to absorb shock forces applied to the frame in any direction. The gripping handle is provided with indentations 15 along the inner surface of the gripping handle 13 to provide for easy grasping.

The first embodiment is designed in particular for use by infants and young children. The transparent sheet 16 allows for easy accessibility to the tablet screen without damaging same. The sheet 16 is close-fitting with the tablet so that the user may press on the transparent sheet 16 and activate any manual controls on the device. Also aiding in use by infants and young children, the rear surface of the compartment 12, as best seen from FIGS. 2 to 5, has a second compartment 28 that is superimposed on the rear surface of the compartment 12 opposite to the front of the transparent sheet 14. As illustrated in FIG. 5 the compartment 28 has a hook and loop closure tab 11 and is designed for storage of miscellaneous items therein. The compartment 28 also has an entrance 29 for insertion of a foldable support stand made up of a flat, pivotal front panel 32 slideable underneath the compartment 28 and retaining strap 34 which is fixed to the lower edge of the compartment with a hook and loop fastener 35. The panel 32 is moveable between a closed storage position within the second compartment 28 and an open position outside of the compartment. The retaining strap 34 assists in supporting the panel 32 in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to mount the holder 10 in an upright position on a table, floor or other flat surface. In addition, an adjustable strap 36 in the form of a flexible web-like strap with a buckle attachment 37 is attached to the rear surface of the second compartment above the entrance 29 for suspension of the holder from a vertical support surface such as a car headrest or the side wall of a crib. Other suitable means of suspension or support can be utilized, such as an extension strap between an upper side of the cover and frame to offer more resistance to shifting of the cover with respect to the frame when pressure is applied to the device.

The rear surface of the holder 10 also has dual fastening members 38 and 40 to aid in placement of the tablet therein as shown in FIG. 7. Hook and loop fasteners and other types of securing members may be used to accomplish the same result. The fastening members or zippers 38 and 40 are unzipped to allow placement of the tablet within the compartment 12 and then are zipped to secure the tablet in close-fitting relation within the compartment 12.

In use, the dual zippers 38 and 40 are unzipped along the sides to allow for insertion of the tablet within the compartment 12. Once the tablet is placed within the compartment 12, the zippers 38 and 40 and closure tab 11 are secured. The holder 10 can then be secured to a car headrest with the buckle attachment 37 or held by the user by grasping the gripping handle(s) 13. The tablet can also be utilized with the panel 32 in an upright position or without the panel.

There is also illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 13 a second embodiment for a smaller portable electronic device such as a cellular phone C as illustrated in FIG. 13 which is broadly comprised of a flexible cover 42 having a compartment 44 for insertion of the cell phone C. A transparent sheet 46 is built into the compartment 44 and is dimensioned to overlay the entire screen portion and any manual controls. The cover 42 includes an extension strap 48 at each of the four corners of the rectangular cover 42 for non-releasable connection to an outer shock-resistant frame 50 which is held by the straps in surrounding relation to the cover 42. The cover 42 is of limited stretchability and as shown in FIG. 12, each strap 48 encircles the frame 50 with a hook and loop fastener (not shown). The strap 48 also has an interior flap 49 having a defined opening 51 for insertion of a securing member 63 therethrough. The flap 49 is partially wrapped around a portion 64 of the frame member 50 and the securing member 63 secures plate member 70 and flap 49 to the frame member 50. A wider extension strap 52 is adjustably connected to one side 54 of the frame 50. hereinafter referred to as the upper side of the holder 10′.

The frame 50 is four-sided and comprises the upper side 54, lower side 55 and opposite ends 56 and 57. The upper and lower sides 54 and 55 are of generally concave configuration. and the opposite ends 56 and 57 are of convex or bowed configuration to define a gripping member or handle 53 at each end of the holder. The gripping handle is provided with indentations 65 along the inner surface of the gripping handle 53 to provide for easy grasping.

The second embodiment is designed in particular for use by infants and young children. To this end, as best seen from FIGS. 9 and 13, a second compartment 58 is superimposed on the rear surface of the compartment 44 opposite to the front of the transparent sheet 46 for storage of small miscellaneous items. In addition, a hanger 59 in the form of a flexible web-like strap is attached to the lower side 55 of the frame for attachment of the holder to a stationary object such as a stroller or high chair to prevent dropping of the holder.

It is therefore to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments shown and described have been set forth in the foregoing description. together with the details of the structure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made within the principles of the embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms and reasonable equivalents thereof. 

We claim:
 1. A handheld protective holder for electronic devices of the type having a screen portion and manual controls on a surface of said screen portion comprising: a cover including a compartment for close-fitting, releasable insertion of said device and having a transparent surface overlying said screen portion; a shock-resistant frame in outer, spaced surrounding relation to said cover having opposite gripping members; and extension straps at spaced intervals between opposite ends of said cover and said frame, said cover being mounted under tension to said frame for shock-resistant support of said device within said frame in any direction.
 2. A handheld holder according to claim 1 wherein said gripping members are bowed and spaced away from said cover at opposite ends to provide sufficient spacing of said gripping members from said cover for manual grasping of said members.
 3. A handheld holder according to claim 1 wherein said gripping members are provided with indentations along their inner surfaces in facing relation to said cover, and opposite sides of said frame being of generally concave configuration.
 4. A handheld holder according to claim 3 wherein said extension straps extend between opposite ends of said cover and said handles.
 5. A handheld holder according to claim 4 wherein said cover is of generally rectangular configuration having four corners in adjacent facing relation to opposite ends of said gripping members and said extension straps extending from said four corners to encircle said opposite ends of said gripping members.
 6. A handheld holder according to claim 5 wherein said extension straps are provided with hook-and-loop fasteners.
 7. A handheld holder according to claim 1 wherein a second compartment on said cover is provided with a foldable stand for supporting said holder in an upright position.
 8. A handheld holder according to claim 7 wherein said foldable stand is comprised of a flat pivotal panel moveable between a closed storage position within said second compartment and an open position outside of said compartment.
 9. In a handheld protective holder for portable electronic devices of the type having a screen portion with manual controls comprising: a flexible cover having a compartment for close-fitting, releasable insertion of said device including a transparent surface overlying said screen portion; a shock-resistant frame in outer, spaced surrounding relation to said cover having opposite convex gripping members; flexible extension straps at spaced intervals between said opposite ends and at least one side of said cover and said frame, said cover being mounted under tension to said frame for shock-resistant support of said device within said frame and said cover has a transparent surface over said screen portion of said device; and wherein said frame is dimensioned to be thicker than the thickness of said cover and enclosed device in order to absorb shock forces applied to said frame in any direction.
 10. A handheld holder according to claim 9 wherein said extension straps are provided with hook-and-loop fasteners.
 11. A handheld holder according to claim 9 wherein said cover is provided with dual fastening members.
 12. A handheld holder according to claim 9 wherein a wide extension strap is adjustably connected to said frame.
 13. A handheld holder according to claim 9 wherein said cover includes an adjustable strap with a buckle attachment.
 14. A handheld holder according to claim 9 wherein said cover includes a hanger attached to a lower side of said frame.
 15. A handheld holder according to claim 9 wherein a second compartment on said cover is provided with a foldable stand for supporting said holder in an upright position.
 16. A handheld holder according to claim 15 wherein said foldable stand is comprised of a flat pivotal panel moveable between a closed storage position within said second compartment and an open position outside of said compartment. 